"LOVE-FUELED GIVING"

"But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"

1 John 3:17

One of the most heartwarming decisions my previous church made was canceling our Christmas party and redirecting our funds and gifts to patients in our local district hospital. It's a medical institution where the poorest of the poor seek health care. The decision was unanimous. We all wanted to share the love of Christ with the sick and their families. That outreach gave us real joy, providing people with not just material gifts but also the hope of eternity.

In this section of John's first epistle, he describes the difference between hate and love, and how compassion should mark the life of a believer. As recipients of God's love, Christians are to express their concern for others not only in words but also in practical ways.

In verse 16, John gives us the ultimate definition of love, which is seen in Jesus' sacrificial death on the Cross. John states that we must do similar things to one another. Sacrificing one's life for others may or may not happen to us, but we can express Christian love in simple ways. We have a lifetime's worth of opportunities to meet the immediate needs of those around us.

Christians, though they are justified by faith in Christ, are still capable of sin, including being selfish and indifferent. But if we claim to love God, there must be no room for cold-heartedness in our lives. When we close our eyes on someone who needs help while it's in our power to come to their rescue, we miss the opportunity of being a blessing to them.

Our material possessions, such as food, clothing, and money, can serve as instruments to sustain other people's lives. If we have the kind of love that comes from God, we can't afford to see a needy brother and ignore his difficulty. It's one thing to feel sorry about seeing a hungry man in the street, but to extend one's hand and give him food is another. Christian compassion causes us to address the immediate needs of the destitute.

First-century Christians demonstrated their love for one another by selling their possessions and distributing the proceeds to everyone (Acts 2:45). As a result, the people praised God, and the community felt the church's presence.

I'm not saying we should start selling our possessions and give the earnings to the poor (though Jesus challenged the rich man to do), but I do encourage us to look around and find opportunities to help others. Assistance may come in the form of material blessings, but it can also be as simple as helping someone understand the Bible or cheering up a downcast brother or sister. Whatever the immediate need is, we should use our resources to reach out and help carry somebody's burdens.

Again, giving should not be motivated by a desire to gain public attention or favor from God; instead, it should be done out of love and compassion. When love fuels our giving, we prove that we are indeed followers of the One who gave up His life for us.

Pursue the Savior today!